At a working session on the implementation of a project on developing a workforce for the semiconductor industry by 2030, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong said many large semiconductor corporations are seeking to diversify their supply chains by taking full advantage of the young labor force with high qualifications in Asian countries, including Vietnam.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) estimated that Vietnam would need 15,000 chip design engineers by 2030, and 35,000 engineers working in microchip plants, generating 154,000 indirect jobs and contributing VND360 trillion to GDP.

To reach that end, it is necessary to provide in-depth training to 1,300 lecturers and expand training of workers for semiconductor and related industries with 200 training establishments, four common-used semiconductor centers, and 20 standard training centers.

Prof Dr Vu Hai Quan, director of the HCM City National University, said in order to obtain rapid development, there must be a groundbreaking policy related to lecturers, facilities and technical equipment, lab development, and attraction of foreign experts.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son thinks that in current conditions, Vietnam has great advantages in chip designing, packaging and testing. Therefore, training establishments need to accurately predict demand, so as to draw up effective training plans.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Hong Thai has proposed that the government make heavy investments in researching, receiving and transferring technologies. It needs to offer preferential policies to parties that get involved in training the workforce for the semiconductor industry.

Ha believes there should be the cooperation between transitional training and in-depth training programs. He emphasised the need to fully prepare the lecturing staff, and build training programs, curricula and teaching methods.

Ha said there must be a long-term strategic vision and thorough understanding about the close relationship between electronics and semiconductors.

The project on preparing workforce in semiconductor needs to have specific schemes and policies which help solve problems in education and training, science and technology development, public investment, research and development.

The state will hold the leading role, and, together with enterprises, will ensure conditions for policy, and facilities and equipment for training. Vietnam also needs to place orders to form groups of researchers and experts specializing in chip designing, and materials and information technology.

Trong Dat